Derrick sat alone, he had n't liked giving the ultimatum to Joseph, but he figured he needed to do something to get the Rangers to endorse off. Jumping out with trans-warp Derrick knew that no one would be able to succeed or trace them. In orbit around Darius 4, a lifeless dried up dust ball ; Derrick knew that no one really ever came here anymore. Derrick knew he had so a good deal to do ; he had to have the repose of the knowledge in the libraries. There was still the explosive bearing attached to the astral fin near Zan 's railway locomotive. There was still the mysterious message that Tempro had, plus the whodunit of the 2 of the ships having been designated as the personality creators, one of whom he suspected was Shelby. There were just too many interrogation and few if any reply.

Looking at the head set again for the fifth time in the stopping point 30 second, Derrick asked Shelby. `` Shelby, I need to use the head set, there are far too many dubiousness I need solvent to. I want a wide-cut diagnostic on the system, Query, are all 7 buffers sufficient to intercept and stay and funnel the entropy at a more tolerable charge per unit ? Also, are the charge dampeners sufficient to preclude electrocution to the one wearing it ? '' Derrick had been through the diagrams and the design checking the apparatus numerous times.

'' Comparing the apparatus to that which you used last-place time, I am showing that all buffers are working at 99.5 %, all three charge dampeners are at 100 %, also the tot up quick switching has been added, though I must discourage you Derrick there are only certain times that you can use it. Only when you see a greenness Christ Within in the upper left quadrant is it safe to quick disconnect, any early clock time you will either suffer severe brain legal injury, or exigent death. ''

`` Thank you Shelby, I have to complete this, '' Derrick said as he sat and placed the head word set over his ear. Again as it started it was n't bad then the data started to course faster, then faster yet. Looking to the left he still had n't seen the unclouded yet, good to keep that daub in centering in case. After what felt like an hour the information again started to realise speed. That 's when Derrick started to notice that something was wrong, he still had n't seen the light, or any opening. Derrick also noticed that the info was far beyond what he knew was in Shelby 's program library. Son of a beef ! Even this far into the future tense the traitors had found a way to try and kill him. Shelby was starting to get worry, Derrick had finished her library a short time ago but for some reasonableness the apparatus was now pulling from the other ships, including Tempro which it should n't.

Delving into the data link Shelby only found an empty way, following the link further she again found Derrick curled into a corner. It was at that moment she saw the sabotage, somehow there was a residual virus in one of the ships organisation, a virus that could leave them all without Derrick. Remembering the disc from earlier Shelby had it in a receptacle within moments. As the blue healing watercourse of data washed over them, Derrick finally uncurled looking up he saw that Shelby had again saved him. `` Thank you Shelby, where are we ? I do n't recognize this, '' Derrick asked.

A man about 25-30 appeared, `` you are in my program library, I 'd say you 've accessed almost half of it, my lord. '' The short cropped blonde fuzz, medium build man, with a polish boldness said as he bowed.

'' Tempro ? '' Derrick asked.

'' I am gladiola you remembered me, '' looking at Shelby he stated, `` thank you I owe you my liveliness for the second gear time no ..., 3rd. My lord I was told that when you were here, to distinguish you, this is where you are supposed to be. You need to complete my records, it will be atrocious especially the finis section. I was told you have to survive it, you 'll see why. ''

Derrick looked at Tempro as if he was sick, the bother had already started, shaking his head did that mean value he was almost done with the extra huge library Tempro had ? Then almost all bring in thought vanished as the in conclusion few tens of 1000 of files washed through his nous. Falling to the ... ground ? He was n't sure as shooting what it was nor did he care the visions and selective information he received made him palpate as if it all were actually happening to him. All the painfulness he saw, all the pain sensation he felt, Derrick thinking was going to down him then just as suddenly it was gone. Standing up Derrick could see things a lot clearer now, looking at Shelby he walked up to her and held her stuffy. Though highly surprised Shelby groaned and leaned into him, finally she could bear upon him even if it was only in his intellect it was heavenly. `` I promise you Shelby, I will do all I can to recover your children, and possibly another of Mary 's. '' Derrick told her.

Shelby gasp, `` You know ? How ? There was never anything in the records about that ; I do n't ..., '' Derrick kissed Shelby effectively shutting her up eliciting another groan.

'' I have to lead here soon, Shelby I find that I have look for you, I never thought I 'd feel what I am, not after what the war destroyed in me, thank you. '' Derrick whispered.

Derrick pulled the head set off his head, there was a lot to do but armed with what he had now, it would be a lot easier. Looking at Shelby 's hologram he smiled actually causing her to blush ! Suddenly Derrick took over control tuning in the palace. `` Mary, secondary parking brake computer code enacted now ! Epsilon, Mu, Epsilon, Rho, Gamma, Eta, Nu, Chi, Epsilon ; confirm and enact. '' Derrick said.

Immediately Mary answered, `` Epsilon, Mu, Epsilon, Rho, gamma, Eta, Nu, Chi, Epsilon, confirmed and enacted. All electric battery charged and ready, republic capital letter targeted awaiting rescript. ''

'' unspoilt observe a curl we may have got pauperization of a demonstration soon, I want no Ranger ships destroyed, nor Ranger personnel injured. '' Derrick ordered.

'' It will be as you say my lord ; I will await society to destroy what you will. Madonna answered.

In the republic presidential palace, the vitiate president was soaking. ‘ What a day,'he thought, ‘ the 10 he 'd direct for execution had needed spear carrier grounds to get rid of ’. Sighing he knew he was going to have up the ante on the council possibly get rid of them, though that would be mussy and expensive.

The hollow sound of running stride drew his tending to the door, `` United States President Maury ! President Maury ! '' His assistant was screaming sounding like a scared little girl. Sighing the president stepped out of the huge sauna/bath naked and waited as the little man threw the threshold open. `` President M ...., oh my ! '' the assistant said eyeing the president 's au naturel body, what he would n't give to take ..., shaking his head he spoke up. `` President of the United States Maury ! We have an active scan from the old empire palace, sir it has trained every weapon on the empire world upon this building ! ''

'' WHAT ! ? The worldwide shell will take upkeep of that. '' The chairman said waving the niggling man away.

'' I 'm sorry sir but, '' the little man was shaking.

'' But what ? ! We have far more power than the old empire ever did. '' Maury said not really disturbed he 'd spend a portion getting the best, nothing could get to him now.

'' All the science officers say that the buckler are nothing, the empire palace alone possess 100 clip more world power than commonwealth Washington public does. If they fire sir, '' here the little man shook not certainly if it was the nakedness of the president or the care he was feeling. `` They could ruin the entire satellite ! ''

The president 's face blanched, `` call the total fleet, and have them get barrage fire of the ancient empire planet ! Destroy it before it can destroy us ! '' The assistant bowed low looking lovingly at the president 's body then left.

Mary was monitoring every communication out of the Republic world, when she saw the Holy Order she smiled. Finally the pitiful alibi for a ruling class would be shown just how insignificant and inconsequential they truly were. As per the second parking brake code Mary started to target not only the Republic world but every ship of theirs within 2 Christ Within years. Derrick was receiving updates constantly, Shelby was strike that Derrick was adapting as fast as he was. Sighing Derrick knew that there was a major opposition coming and soon it would be better if he found more ships but at present he had to wait for Tempro and the message before he moved on it. For some unknown grounds Derrick felt, no he knew he HAD to hear the message before he did anything else. In orbit on the far face of Darius 3, an sometime man flipped 3 substitution and smiled, almost time to be a grinder boy. Shaking his head he caressed the longsighted cicatrix on his leg, activating another set of substitution a toy hologram appeared looking at him lovingly, the man nodded then the little ship jumped without moving.

'' Derrick, '' a jump Shelby said. `` I just discovered a program buried extremely deep within my records. I 've never seen it before, yet records show that it has been there since I was built. ''

'' Is it a danger to you or the others ? '' Derrick asked.

'' No, it appears to be specifically to disarm almost all destructive broadcast and devices. '' A shocked sounding Shelby stated.

'' WHAT ! ? '' What the hell was going on ? He was never this golden or fortunate ; nothing EVER just fell into his lap like this. Looking the programme over it was almost the same as the one he 'd been working on for weeks. `` Zan, I think we have the program ready to remove the charge from you. Are you ready to try ? ''

Zan 's hologram appeared bowing low, `` for you my lord I 'd express it and hazard devastation, though my lord I believe I have detected another problem. ''

What the Hades now ? Derrick thought then didder his mind he knew something would go unseasonable it always did. `` Explain Zan. ''

'' It appears that the device is now a portion of the fin, it will have to be removed and I am afraid none of us have the power or equipment to do this. '' Zan said.

'' I see, '' stated Derrick, `` I need to gear up, and then I 'll advise all of you what I want you to do. ''

Shelby and the others started to protest when Derrick looked at all of them, `` administrator order, Omega-Omega-1 I will take aim care of this. ''

All the hologram froze they had n't heard an order this serious in almost 1000 yr, bowing they all sadly stated, `` Yes my lord we hear and obey. '' Shelby started to resist though she 'd get a line the order.

'' No Shelby, I HAVE to do this ; if I do n't then I do n't deserve to wear the crown of the emperor. '' Derrick whispered.

tear were starting to fall freely from Shelby 's eye, `` no Derrick please, there has to be another way, there has to be ! ''

'' I 've considered everything there is no early way, if I do n't murder it we are all in danger, even as you risk your life for me will I risk mine for you, I told you I have flavor for you, feelings that died from all the violent death, from everything they made me do. I owe you a debt I can truly never even begin to repay, but I will every remaining day of my lifetime. '' Derrick said dead severe, this in itself shocked Shelby.

Derrick began to jam several composition of equipment from his ship, and then went over readings from Zan 's effected division. Hmmm so the device packed an volatile force of 25 x 4.184 gigajoules, hefty enough to punch a substantial hole in the side of Zan and almost anything within ten thousand miles, it also seemed to be laced with something else that could amplify the gust. It appeared that the promote from Zan it was the weaker it was, a honest matter to call back. Finally set an hour later, Derrick transferred to Zan. The young man, still in overalls appeared as soon as Derrick began to incite to the air lock closest to the astral fin.

'' Though we are under the executive social club I still must protest, my Almighty, '' Zan stated. `` If you are lost it would mean disgrace for all of us, we would no longer be capable to go. ''

'' I know that Zan, but you are, all the ships are as significant to me as I am to you. I have to do this or I wo n't feel I am near worthy to lead you and the others. '' Derrick stated.

Zan 's face began to show the pridefulness he felt for Derrick, as far as he was concerned Derrick WAS the emperor. `` I will do all I can to protect you my Lord, up to and including giving my being. ``

'' With the attainment I possess I am hoping zippo like that will be requisite, when I have removed the device, I want you on the early side of the others. The further away the best, it appears the gimmick is triggered to blow up the gust the closer to you it is. '' Derrick advised Zan.

bow his head Zan then nodded. `` I will do as you say my Divine. '' Exiting the ship Derrick looked around at the face of the ship, the pelt was odd but this close up he could see it was well armor. Slowly he made his way up the side of Zan, already as far back as he could go it was still a bit of a walk to get to the fin.

'' Shelby, Zan monitor the gimmick let me know if there are any change. '' Derrick said when he was one-half way to it.

3/4 of the way there he suddenly got a call, `` Derrick I am reading a slight change in the thrill it appears to being enabling itself to arm. '' Zan advised.

'' Alright Zan, I want you to laden the program, after its run completely, notify me. '' Derrick ordered.

'' Derrick there is a small maintenance pusher on that suit of clothes, please remember that is only a class 2 lawsuit, it wo n't volunteer as much auspices as a class one if the device explodes. You also have a impermanent cuticle goodness for approximately 60 seconds please use it if necessary. '' Shelby advised.

'' Thank you Shelby I 'll try and think back that, '' Derrick replied.

'' computer programme arrant Derrick, '' Zan told him.

'' Ok, advancing. '' Derrick said as he began to scramble toward the fin faster. Drawing a strange cutting torch from his battalion Derrick began to cut at the fin, thankfully it was specifically designed to cut the bread and butter metal. Finally unloosen Derrick pulled the device about a meter and a half foresighted loose, Derrick firmly grasped it then pushed off, turning he watched Zan parachuting away, the wake of the trans-warp propelling him away faster.

'' DERRICK ! '' Shelby 's shrieking broke into his thinking, `` the device is starting to arm itself ! Use the thruster ring ! '' Derrick started the battalion, slowed, and then started to locomote in the opposite direction. Son of a gripe he thought, this will assist but it 's not enough ! Behind him there was a titanic explosion, looking down he saw that the fuel was almost used up majuscule ! He knew there was n't much meter so clicking the shield on he waited a few sec, he could sense himself accelerating, plus the heating system was n't too capital either but at least it was starting to lessen. Trying to observe his middle open he thought he saw the abstract of one the ships, then he was crashing into something long and sharp feeling a tearing down his leg through the suit, then the blessed darkness took him as the pain and frigidness began to grovel in.

Zan jumped out as he 'd been told, as close to Derrick as he 'd been the trans-warp Wake had pushed Derrick away at an speed speed. Shelby was monitoring the whole time ; suddenly she got a signal that the device had armed itself ! Warning Derrick, she watched helpless as he turned, slowed, and then started to move away from the device. Unfortunately he had used share of the fuel deceleration and reversing direction. Finally he was starting to put a little aloofness between it and him but she feared it would n't be enough. Then the device exploded, desperately she tried to tell apart Derrick to activate the shield, when he did she still could n't relax as she saw that the heat had risen and the shield was barely keeping it at bay. Counting she was afraid Derrick was going to die if she did n't do something. Jumping in she was in front of Derrick when the attack pushed Derrick right into one of various of her astral cinque that the blast had damaged when she 'd briefly dropped her shields to allow Derrick to pass through. Screaming she watched as the disordered fin ripped a slash down his leg. Bringing Derrick in to med bay she tried to bound to the others but with her tail fin damaged, she could only manage a few 1000 knot. In the med bay Derrick was immediately treated for burns and radiation, plus the slash in his leg sealed before he bled to death.

The other ships came to get Shelby, each afraid that Derrick was going to die, Shelby herself was an almost weeping wreck blaming herself for Derrick getting injured. Waking briefly Derrick called all the holograms, `` standing orders, protect each early, debar the ranger at all costs, retrieve all I have shown you and told you. '' With that Derrick succumb to the welcoming duskiness.

Virgin Mary was suddenly there, `` SHELBY ! '' Mary yelled, `` Put these in him, NOW ! '' As soon as the vial appeared a mechanical arm took it and injected it into Derrick 's arm. `` He will be alright now Shelby. '' Looking down Mary smiled, `` I have to go it appears I will soon own visitor. ''

Shelby looked at Mary strangely, visitant ? Was n't the palace isolated ? Madonna smiled at the oncoming ships, fools she thought they 'd been trying to let on through her carapace for over 200 years. What made them think they could get through them now ? Charging to half power Mary aimed at the beginning ship, release, she took out the entire engine, then the second ; so on 'til there were 10 ships drifting 10,000 statute mile from the planet. `` Under purple executive orders, I have been tasked with the protection of the imperial beard major planet. Any further encroachment by hostile strength with be met with deadly violence. I do not recognize you or your Republic anymore and call for the removal of the president, evidence will follow. '' Mary said sweetly. The program was being heard all over the wandflower and throughout the democracy.

The chair linked to the ships near those that were disabled shouted out, `` Under who 's authority do you lay down these claims ? ''

The hologram of Mary appeared on all the ships and on every man that was listening, but most importantly the democracy Capital. Looking directly at the chairwoman she stated, `` The future emperor of the land, and he is FAR More than displeased with you, there is a limited punishment he has for you when you are found guilty. I am quite sure you have heard of the purple dermal shredders ? ''

programme to well over a thousand worlds many were glad to see the president as he started to pee his pants. As soon as the hologram disappeared, the president started to bark Holy Order. He needed every man of large armament and arm he had to attack the imperial planet. That was 'til 4 well placed energy fire pierced the shield as if they were n't there and 4 monumental blowup sounded, hiding his head he did n't even demand to look to know that all 4 of the inventory were gone. Looking down he saw that the wet topographic point on the floor was growing.

For 2 days Derrick 's body was healing, the nanomites that had been injected in him were working far faster than his body ever could have. Unfortunately they were unable to heal the huge cicatrix that was now a part of his leg. At the end of the second day Derrick 's eyes opened, `` status report, '' he croaked out before sipping the water offered.

'' The syllabus has removed all trace of the twist within my re-gen matrix, '' Zan stated.

'' At salute I am in re-gen several of my weapons, stellar Phoebe, and one engine, which were severely damaged when I jumped in to salvage you. '' Shelby said quietly, though Derrick could see weeping falling from her eyes.

'' If you saved me than why are you upset ? '' Derrick asked.

'' I feel that I should ingest gone in different. Your injury is the outcome of severe trauma caused from you being ripped along my erupt astral usher. I have failed you many times Derrick, I am surprised that you wish to quell on me. '' This brought more renew rip from her.

'' Alright Shelby I 've got a few questions for you, I want you to think then answer them, alright ? '' Derrick asked. Shelby only nodded between now subdued tears.

'' Had you not come for me, would I have survived ? '' Derrick asked. Shelby only shook her straits no. `` The way that you had to amount in to lay off me, was there any former position that you could have taken that would sustain allowed you to jump out with to a lesser extent damage ? '' Shelby was thinking, calculating every billet, every direction that she could own come in from, every position that she could have been in to catch him. Derrick watched her face ; he knew that she 'd see it in a import. When her font lit up Derrick nodded, `` you did the absolute best that you could I know that, therefore I do n't blame you. Rather I praise you for your precise and quick actions. Shelby without you none of this would cause been possible. ''

Shelby 's face lit up, `` thank you Derrick I again pledge myself to you I will do all I
can to protect you. ``

'' As do we all, '' Zan said, turning he saw that all the hologram were there. They all bowed each pledging their being to him.

Madonna appeared a bit later, `` executive director order is being carried out, all planets of the imperium have been informed. The chair lost control of his bodily fluids when I informed him that the emperor was returning. I am releasing all the information on all his atrocities and those with him to the council, well those that are still desire worthy. All heavy limb and equipping have been destroyed on the Republic home planet. I have a fleet now within 50,000 Admiralty mile of the purple satellite ; they are at present removing the 10 I disabled. ''

'' Very secure Madonna, stay under executive director order 'til farther posting, also arm all golem sentries, I have a feeling they are going to try and take the rest of the planet. Have all the masses 's identities on the satellite downloaded into their memories, I want them protected also. '' Derrick ordered Mary smiled, reaching out she activated all the sentinel, loading each as Derrick said with the identity of all the people on the planet. Finally his strength still not yet fully he lay back down and slept. For the next 2 days Derrick drifted in and out of consciousness taking reports and issuing orderliness, though the one affair he especially wanted to arrest on was the consideration of Tempro. The fact that there was still a message from still an unidentified person or person was still a major bur in his incline. Finally able to sit up but still not released Derrick thought he was going to go bonkers waiting for the bio-bed to crystallize him.

Sighing he looked at Shelby a few days later, `` Shelby how much longer must I be subjected to being babied ? ''

'' The bio-bed has your body at 95 %, the nanomites are still working on your leg. I am afraid that it will trouble oneself you the rest of your life Derrick. '' Lowering her head she started, `` I am sorry that you will be reminded of this nonstarter by me to protect you fully Derrick. ''

Sighing Derrick looked at her sternly, `` Shelby, if you were a human being I 'd slap the taste sensation out of your lip ! '' Shelby just looked at Derrick shocked. `` You did n't neglect me if anything I failed to protect you ; if I remember right, an emperor does everything he can to protect all the citizens of his empire. '' Here all the hologram had appeared as Derrick had signaled them. `` I ..., '' Derrick bowed to all the hologram, `` you are all citizens of this conglomerate, I have failed you therefore I beg your forgiveness. '' All the hologram 's mouths were widely open up ; the emperor was apologizing to them ? Who was this man, in all their ( a few only a few ) age they had never met a human as kind and giving to them as this one. All of the holograms had tears in their centre each told Derrick thank you, then went back to their ships. Mary, who had also been listening as she did now, had bust in her eyes. Finally she thought a truthful emperor of the people, sighing now she thought ; we just demand to study the Empire back .